Improvement in corsets



2 Sheets-Sheet l. H. T. MARSH.

Gorst.

No. 202,038. Pat e'nted April 2 NPETERS PHOTO-LITHOGRAPHER, WASHINGTON. D..C.

2 SheetsShet 2..

H. T. MARSH. Corset.

No. 202,038. Patented April 2, 1878.

N. PEIERS, PfiDTO-LITHDGRAFHER, WASNINGTON, D C.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

HENRY T. MARSH, OF HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT, ASSIGNOR, BY MESNE ASSIGNMENT, TO ELLEN MARSH, OF SAME PLACE.

IMPROVEMENT IN CORSETS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 202,038, dated April 2, 1878; application filed January 26, 1878.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, HENRY T. MARSH, of Hartford, in the county of Hartford and State of Connecticut, have invented certain new and useful Improvements pertaining to a Corset, of which the following is a specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, wherein- Figure 1 shows the corset as distended on the bust, the view being-midway between a front and side view. Fig. 2 shows the corset as distended on the bust, the view being midway between a side view and a back View; and Fig. 3 comprises diagrams of the various pieces of which the corset is constructed, made to asomewhat larger scale than Figs. 1 and 2.

The invention has two features, to wit: first, the construction of the corset of pieces cut to certain patterns, so that the resulting structure shall fit and adapt itself to the body of the wearer second, the use and combination of certain materials which have peculiar advantages for corset purposes.

I show on Sheet 2 diagrams of the shapes of the pieces which go to make up the structure. The component parts of only one half the corset are shown, the other half being made up correspondingly. Each piece is numbered on Sheet 2, and is correspondingly numbered in the views showing the finished corset.

In the views showing the finished corset I have used dotted or broken lines to denote the boundaries of the different pieces.

I believe no further description of these pieces is needed, except to say that they are ten in number, and that 5 and 6 are doubled in the making, to inclose the metal or whalebone piece (material is not essential) which is commonly found at each end of a corset-half. The pieces are united by sewing, or in any other suitable manner.

As to the second feature of my invention, it is well settled by long experience that cloth (cotton, linen, or silk of stout texture) is the best material for the body of a corset. It is also well settled that there are certain places in corsets which wear out long before the remainder of the corset is substantially worn.

I have discovered and put to practical use a material for these places exposed to extra wear, which is not so high in cost as to be practically prohibited, which is strong enough to stand the extra strain of those exposed parts, tough enough to firmly hold the eyelets and hooks as well as the strips of wood, bone, or metal, and flexible as cloth. The material in question is kid or other fine leather dressed to the same condition.

With reference to this second feature of my invention, 1 divide the corset-half, for sake of description, into five sections, to Wit, the section a, which is of kid, the section b of cloth, the section 0 of kid, the section 01 of cloth, and the section 0 of kid, kid and cloth alternating throughout. The sections a and e at the ends of the corset-half are of kid. The kid at these points serves. an admirable purpose in inclosing and holding the strips of wood,

metal, or bone, which are necessary at these points; also, the hooks and the eyelets. The strength and toughness of the leather are such that these strips, hooks, and eyelets are securely held without danger of wearing through the kid before the cloth sections wear out, and the leather is well adapted to bear the extra strain which comes at these points. The section 0 of kid is also interposed at a point where cloth readily wears and is strained apart.

What 1 claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. A corset each half which iscomposed of the pieces 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10, constructed and arranged substantially as described.

2. A corset composed of alternate sections of cloth and leather, combined and arranged substantially as shown and described.

HENRY T. MARSH.

Witnesses:

WM. E. SIMoNns, R0131. F. GAYLORD. 

